Hexamethylenetetramine adducts of haloaceto-mercaptophenones



United States Patent HEXANIETHYLENETETRAMINE ADDUCTS OF HALOACETO-MERCAPTOPHENONES Chester M. Suter, Austerlitz, N. Y., assignor to Sterling Drug Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application December 27, 1955, Serial No. 555,245

7 Claims. (Cl. 260-239) where R is a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-7 carbon atoms, and Y is an aliphatic carboxylic acylamino radical. The hydrocarbyl radical R includes aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, carbocyclic aryl, and benzyl radicals having 1-7 carbon atoms and represents, for example: branched and unbranc'hed alkyl radicals, such as methyl, ethyl, npropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, n-heptyl, isoamyl, etc; alkenyl radicals, such as allyl, methallyl, etc.; cycloalkyl radicals, such as cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, etc.; benzyl; phenyl; and ortho-, meta-, and para-tolyl radicals. The acylamino radicals represented by Y include both saturated and unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acylamino radicals wherein the aliphatic carboxylic acyl group can be considered as being derived from an aliphatic carboxylic acid. Thus, for example, Y can be alkanoylamino, haloalkanoylamino, nitroalkanoylamino, alkylmercaptoalkanolyamino, etc. I particularly prefer acyclic lower aliphatic carboxylic acylamino radicals containing 1-4 carbon atoms. This preferred group of acyl radicals includes, for example, acetylamino, dichloroacetylamino, dibromoacetylamino, bromoacetylamino, beta-chloropropionylamino, difluoroacetylamino, alpha-chloropropionylamino, trichloroacetylamino, nitroacetylamino, methylmercaptoacetylamino, methylsulfonylacetylamino, ethylmercaptoacetylamino, butyrylamino, alpha-methylpropionylamino, alpha,alpha-dichloropropionylamino, iodoacetylamino, cyanoacetylamino, methoxyacetylamino, acrylylamino, alpha-hydroxypropionylamino, etc.

The following groups of compounds embraced by the generic formula hereinabove are illustrative of the products described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 249,213:

2 haloalkanoylamino l (4 alkylsulfonylphenyl) 1,3-propanediols, having the formula 2,759,927. Patented Aug. 21, 1956 ice 2 alkanoylamino 1 a (4 alkylsulfonylphenyl) 1,3-propanediols, having the formula O H NH- ([3-alkyl 2 haloalkanoylamino l (4 alkenylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-propanediols, having the formula amen kso ggrkc unomon 2 haloalkanoylamino 1 (4 benzylsulfonylphenyl)-l,3-propanediols, having the formula 2 nitroalkanoylamino 1 (4 alkylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-propanediols, having the formula 2 alkylmercaptoalkanoylamino 1 (4 alkylsulfonylp'henyl)-1,3-propanediols, having the formula 0H NH-%(alkylmercaptoalkyl) 2 haloalkanoylamino l (4 phenylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-propanediols, having the formula 2 nitroalkanoylamino 1 (4 cycloalkylsulfonylphenyl)-l,3-propanediols, having the formula The 2-aliphatic carboxylic acylamino-1-(4-hydrocarbylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-propanediols described above are useful as antibiotic agents, being particularly valuable as antimicrobial agents. For example, they exhibit bactericidal and bacteriostatic action against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and rickettsial organisms. The compounds are also useful as intermediates for the preparation of other valuable organic substances. Thus, for example, they can be hydrolyzed by hot strong mineral acids to produce the corresponding 2-amino-1-(4- hydrocarbylsulfonylphenyl) 1,3 -prop anediols.

The sulfonyl compounds above can in general be obtained by oxidizing a corresponding Z-aliphatic carboxylic acylamino 1 (4 hydrocarbylmercaptophenyl) 1,3-pr0panediol by treating it with a per-compound under acidic conditions. The reaction involved in this process is represented by the following equation:

per-compound OH Y OHY The term per-compound as employed with reference to this invention designates hydrogen peroxide or a substance derived therefrom which contains at least two oxygen atoms linked together, i. e. a peroxy linkage, in accordance with the definition set forth in Per-Acids and Their Salts, by T. S. Price, p. 1 if., Longrnans-Green (1911). Per-compounds suitable for use in obtaining the compounds of my invention include, for example, Caros acid (H2805), ammonium persulfate potassium persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, perbenzoic acid, perphthalic acid, sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, etc. Generally, it is preferable to employ as the oxidizing agent an organic peracid, such as peracetic acid or perbenzoic acid. Advantageously, the oxidation is carried out in the presence of an organic solvent which is inert to the per-compound employed as the oxidant. The oxidation usually proceeds most satisfactorily at temperatures in the range l00 C., depending on the choice of oxidant, but for optimum yields, it is preferable, when using an organic per-acid, not to allow the reaction temperature to rise above about 65 C. The instant invention relates in particular to novel compounds (structural formula IV below) useful as intermediates in the synthesis of the above-mentioned 2- amino and acylamino-1-(hydrocarbylmercaptophenyl)- 1,3-propanedio1s (II) and 2-amino and acylamino-l-hydrocarbylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-propanediols (I) in accordance with the following sequence of reactions:

acylation reaction or, if desired, it can be converted to the free amine by treatment with a base and the free amine, which is somewhat unstable, can be interacted with any desired acid to form the corresponding acid addition salt.

The alpha-(aliphatic carboxylic acylamino)-4-hydrocarbylmercaptoacetophenones (VI) are readily obtained, for example, by treating the appropriate alpha-amino- 4-hydrocarbylmercaptoacetophenones (V) in conventional fashion with an aliphatic carboxylic acylating agent such as an acyl halide or anhydride. The acylation can be carried out, for example, by heating the acylating agent and the amine (V) in an anhydrous organic solvent or in an alkaline aqueous solution. The temperature of the reaction can be varied within rather wide limits, but a range of 0l00 C. is generally satisfactory. When using an acid addition salt of the amine (V), there is added to the acylation reaction mixture a weak base, such as an alkali metal salt of an organic acid for instance sodium acetate, to generate in situ from the amine salt the amine (V) which is then acted on by the acylating agent.

In addition to being useful as intermediates in the preparation of the sulfonyl compounds, I, as described above, some of my new alpha-halo-4- (hydrocarby1- mercapto)acetophenonehexamethylenetetramine adducts (IV), alpha-amino 4 (hydrocarbylmercapto) acetophenones (V), and alpha-(aliphatic carboxylic acylamino)- 4-hydrocarbylmercaptoacetophenones (VI) have useful III IV acid acylation RS- (IJCH=Y RS (JGHr-NH:

t) 0 VI 1100 alkaline V condensation catalyst 1 R-S CCH--CH:OH 3-8 CHCH-CH;-OH

ll I reduction O Y 011 Y VII H I oxidation where Hal represents chlorine or bromine, and R and Y have the same significance indicated hereinabove.

The alpha halo 4 (hydrocarbylmercapto) acetophenonehexamethylenetetramine adducts (IV) of my invention are readily prepared, as represented in the above equations, by interaction of approximately equivalent amounts of an alpha-chloro or bromo-4-(hydrocarbylmercapto)- acetophenone (III) and hexamethylenetetramine. The reaction is conveniently carried out at about 25 C. in a suitable inert solvent such as chloroform, ethylene dichloride, chlorobenzene, or toluene. The adduct separates from solution and is collected on a filter. Higher temperatures may cause some discoloration of the product. The starting materials, III, for this reaction are readily obtained by halogenation of a 4-(hydrocarbylmercapto)- acetophenone.

The alpha-amino 4 (hydrocarbylmercapto) acetophenones (V) are obtained by hydrolyzing the alphahalo-4- (hydrocarbylmercapto)acetophenone hexamethylenetetramine adducts (IV) by treating the adducts with an inorganic mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, or sulfuric acid, under mild conditions of temperature, preferably at 2030 C. Advantageously, ethanol is used as a reaction medium. The products, V, are obtained in the form of an acid addition salt with the acid used for the hydrolysis. This addition salt can be, and usually is, used in the subsequent chemo-therapeutic properties, for example having, in aqueous solution, antibacterial activity against such organisms as Staphylococcus aureus 209; Streptococcus hemolyzicus C 203; Eberthella typhi, Hopkins; Clostridium welchii, M; and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv.

My invention is illustrated by the following examples without, however, being limited thereto.

HYDROCHLORIDE 110 g. of thiophenol was added with stirring to a mixture of ml. of 35% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and 400 ml. of water in a 2-liter, 3-neck flask. To the resulting mixture, there was added 139 g. of methyl sulfate from a dropping funnel at such a rate that the temperature of the reaction mixture did not rise above 60 C. while applying external ice cooling to the reaction vessel. The addition of the methyl sulfate required about five to ten minutes. After the addition of methyl sulfate was completed, stirring of the reaction mixture was continued for about one hour, and then the mixture was cooled. The thioanisole which separated from the mixture was dissolved in about 400 ml. of chloroform. The chloroform solution was separated, washed with 100 ml. of dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, and dried over anhydrous calcium sulfate. (In other experiments, isolation of the product from the chloroform solution resulted in recovery of thioanisole in a yield of 90-95% of the theoretical based on the quantity of thiophenol employed.)

The chloroform solution of thioanisole was filtered free from the calcium sulfate directly into a 2-liter, 3-neck flask fitted with a stirrer, thermometer, dropping funnel, and outlet tube (for escape of hydrogen chloride gas) protected by a drying tube. Sufficient anhydrous chloroform was added to the filtrate to bring the volume up to about 800 ml. and the solution was cooled by means of an ice-methanol bath. 165 g. of aluminum chloride was then added rapidly to the chloroform solution, while keeping the temperature of the solution below C. 106 g. of acetyl chloride was added to the solution by means of a dropping funnel while still maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture below 10 C. As the addition of the acetyl chloride proceeded, a yellow solid gradually separated from the mixture. (In some instances, it was found desirable to add an additional quantity of dry chloroform to the reaction mixture in order to facilitate stirring.) When the addition of the acetyl chloride was completed, the cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to C. while continuing vigorous stirring. The thick reaction mixture was then decomposed by pouring it into a liter of ice and water containing -50 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid with vigorous stirring to ensure complete decomposition of the complex. The chloroform layer, which contained 4-methylmercaptoacetophenone, having the formula was separated and employed directly in the subsequent step. (In other experiments, by evaporation of the chloroform solution there was obtained in 96-98% yield 4- methylmercaptoacetophcnone in a high degree of purity.) The chloroform solution of 4-methylmercaptoacetophenone was placed in a 3-liter, 3-neck flask fitted with a stirrer, a dropping funnel, and an outlet tube for escape of hydrogen bromide gas. The volume of the chloroform solution was brought up to about 1600 ml. by addition of chloroform. About 40 g. of bromine was added to the solution and the mixture was allowed to stand until the reaction was initiated, as evidenced by evolution of hydrogen bromide. Stirring of the mixture was then begun and a further quantity of 120 g. of bromine was added during a period of three to five minutes. The reaction mixture was then placed under reduced pressure by application of a water aspirator in order to remove the major portion of the hydrogen bromide. The temperature of the solution, which contained alpha-bromo-4- methylmercaptoacetophenone, having theformula gradually fell, due to evaporation, to about l0-l5 C. (A sample of this bromo ketone, isolated in another experiment, was obtained in the form of small white leaflets, which melted at 65.5-66.5 C., after recrystallization from methanol.)

To the cold chloroform solution of alpha-bromomercaptoacetophenone, there was added 140 g. of hexamethylenetetramine. The temperature of the mixture rose gradually to about 30-35 C., and a white solid separated from the mixture. The mixture was stirred for about two hours and then the solid was collected on a filter and washed with chloroform. The product thus obtained consisted of alpha-bromo-4-methylmercaptoacetophenonehexarnethylenetetramine adduct, having the formula cm-s-Q-p-cm-mrcmnm and melting at 144-145 C. When tested in aqueous solution, this compound showed antibacterial activity in vitro as shown below.

The alpha-bromo-4-methylmercaptoacetophenone-hexamethylenetetramine adduct obtained in the preceding step was placed in a 3-litcr flask with 750 ml. of ethanol and 375 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. As the mixture was stirred, producing a slurry, the solid gradually went into solution. The reaction product subsequently began to separate from the solution. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 10 C., filtered, and the filter cake was washed with ml. of cold ethanol. The damp filter cake was then slurried for a few minutes at 40-50 C, with 600 ml. of water containing 25 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. After cooling the slurry to 510 C., the white solid was collected on a filter, washed with 100 ml. of water containing 5 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid, and dried. There was thus obtained -141 g. of alpha-amino-4-rnethylrnercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride, having the formula A sample of this product when recrystallized from water formed large white leaflets which melted at 234.5-235 C. (dec.). The compound was soluble in water to the extent of 2%, weight/volume, the pH of a 1% aqueous solution being 5.1. The compound produced moderate pressor effects when administered intravenously in aqueous solution to barbitalized dogs in doses of l to 8 mg./kg.

B. ALPHA-ACETYLAMlNO-l-METHYLMERCAPTOACETO- PHENONE A slurry of 11 g. of alpha-amino-4-methylmercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride in 50 ml. of water containing 100 g. of ice was stirred vigorously and to the slurry there were added in one portion 10 ml. of acetic anhydride followed by a solution of 14.5 g. of sodium acetate trihydrate in 60 ml. of Water. The temperature of the reaction mixture, which did not rise during addition of the acetic anhydride and sodium acetate, was allowed to warm to room temperature (about 25 C.) and stirring was continued for an additional two hours. Sufiicicnt concentrated hydrochloric acid was then added to make the reaction mixture acid to Congo red paper (to dissolve any unreacted aminoketone), and the white solid in the mixture was then collected on a filter. This solid was washed with 30 ml. of water and dried. There was thus obtained 10 g. of alpha-acetylamino-4-methylmercaptoacetop'henone, having the formula which melted at l33.2-l34.6 C. after recrystallization from acetone in the form of broad white needles. The

7 water-solubility of the compound was less than 0.25%, weight/volume. It was soluble in 95 ethanol to the extent of 1%, weight/volume.

C. ALPHA-ACETYLAMINO-BETA-HYDROXY'4 METHYL- MERCAPTOPROPIOPHENONE A mixture of 15 g. of alpha-acetlyamino-4-methylmercaptoacetophenone, 70 ml. of ethanol, 25 ml. of water, 10 ml. of formalin (37% aqueous solution of formaldehyde), and a solution of 0.3 g. of sodium bicarbonate in 10 ml. of water was stirred at 35 C. for two hours. The original thick slurry gradually thinned out and after about ten minutes the reaction mixture was a pale yellow solution. At the end of the two-hour period, the solution was refrigerated for about ten hours. The crystalline solid which separated from the cooled solution was collected on a filter and washed with 20 ml. of water. There was thus obtained 10.5 g. of alpha-acetlyamino-beta-hydroxy- 4-methylmercaptopropiophenone, having the formula This product was purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate to yield white fluffy needles which melted at l25.6-127.8 C.

D. fZ-ACETYLAHINO-l- (l-METHYLMERCAPTO PHENYL) 1,3-PROPANEDIOL A mixture of g. of alpha-acetylamiro-beta-hydroxy-4- methylmercaptopropiophenone, 20 g. of aluminum isopropoxide, and 120 ml. of isopropanol was slowly distilled through a fifteen-inch column until the distillate gave no test for acetone. This distillation required about seven hours. The excess isopropanol was then distilled from the reaction mixture and the residue was heated for thirty minutes with a solution of g. of sodium chloride in 100 ml. of water. The resulting suspension was filtered while hot and the aluminum hydroxide residue thus collected was washed several times with ether. From the filtrate there separated a white solid in the form of tiny leaflets. This solid was collected on a filter and washed with m1. of ether. There was thus obtained 1.5 g. of Z-acetylamino 1 (4-methylmercaptophenyl)-l,3-propanediol, having the formula which melted at l67l68 C. Recrystallization from water and then nitroethane raised the melting point to 172.ll73.5 C.

E. 2-A CETYLAMINO I- (4-METHYLSULFONYLPHENYL) 1,3-PROPANEDIOL 1.95 g. of a 2-acetylamino-1-(4-mcthylmercaptophenyl)-l,3-propanediol was slurried in ml. of acetone and to the slurry was added dropwise 4.5 ml. of 40% peracetic acid. (The term 40% peracetic acid is employed in this and the succeeding examples to designate a commercial preparation of peracetic acid consisting of an aqueous solution containing approximately 40% peracetic acid, 5% of hydrogen peroxide, 39% of acetic acid, and 1% of sulfuric acid, the percentages being by weight.) The temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained at 46 C. or below by ice-cooling of the reaction vessel. After the addition of the peracetic acid was completed, stirring of the reaction, mixture was continued for two hours, after which time the mixture was cooled to 5 C. The white solid which separated was collected on a filter and washed with two 5 ml. portions of cold acetone. This product was recrystallized from nitroethane to yield 1.02 g. of Z-acetylamino-l-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3- propanediol in the form of white leaflets which melted at 172.7-173.7 C.

8 EXAMPLE 2 2 -dichl0r0acetylamino-1 -(4-methylsulf0nylphenyl) 1,3-pr0panedi0l A. 2-AMINO-1- (4-I\IETHYL1\IERCAPTOPHENYL -1 ,3- PROPANEDIOL A mixture of 50 parts by weight of racemic 2-acetylamino 1 (4 methylmercaptophenyl) 1,3 propanediol obtained as described above in Example 1, parts by weight of concentrated hydrochloric acid, and 500 parts by weight of water was warmed on a steam bath for thirty minutes. The resulting solution was cooled to about 40 C. and was then made strongly alkaline by addition of 35% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The alkaline solution was then refrigerated. The white solid which separated from the cooled solution was collected on a filter. There was thus obtained 27 .parts by weight of Z-amino-l-(4-methylmercaptophenyl)-l,3-propanediol, having the formula This product melted at l30.7-13l.9 C. after recrystallization from methanol.

A solution of 17.5 g. of the 2-amino-l-(4-methylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol described above, which of course was a raoemic or optically inactive form of the compound, in 100 ml. of methanol and a solution of 13 g. of d-tartaric acid in 100 ml. of methanol were mixed and the mixture was allowed to stand at 1520 C. for about six hours. The solid which had separated from the solution during this period was then collected on a filter, the methanolic filtrate being retained for treatment as described below. There was thus obtained 18 g. of solid which melted at 190-l96 C. This solid was suspended in ml. of water and suflicient dilute hydrochloric acid was added to effect solution of the solid. To the solution thus obtained there was added 50 ml. of 35% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution which caused the separation of 11.7 g. of yellowish solid from solution. This solid melted at 127-135 C. Two recrystallization of this product from methanol yielded 1.5 g. of coarse white needles which melted at 152-153" C. This product was a levo-rotary form of 2-amino-1-(4-methylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol having [u] =21 (1% solution in 95% ethanol).

The methanolic filtrate retained above was distilled on the steam bath to remove the methanol. T he residue thus obtained was dissolved in 50 ml. of water and the resulting solution was treated with 15 ml. of 35% caustic solution. This caused the separation of 3.0 g. of white solid which melted at 141150 C. This product was recrystallized twice from methanol, thus yielding 1.0 gv of white crystals consisting of a dextro-rotary form of 2 amino l (4 methylmercaptophenyl) 1,3 propanediol which melted at l52-l53 C. and had [a] =+21 (1% solution in 95% ethanol).

The racemic amine was also resolved in the following manner: 33.0 g. of racemic 2-amino-1-( Z-methylmercaptophenyl)-l,3-propanediol and 34.6 g. of d-N-benzoyl threonine (M. P. 149151 C.; obtained by benzoylation of d-threonine) were dissolved in 500 ml. of methanol by warming. Crystallization was initiated by cooling the solution to 25 C. and scratching the inner walls of the container. The solution was refrigerated at 5 C. for about ten hours and then the crystals which had separated from solution were collected on a filter, the filtrate (A) being retained for recovery of the dextro-rotary amine as described below. The solid on the filter was washed with a few ml. of cold methanol and dried at 70 C. There was thus obtained 31.3 g. of levo-rotary- 2 amino 1 (4 methylmercaptophenyl) 1,3 propanediol d-N-benzoylthreonine salt which melted at 184-186" C. This crop of salt was dissolved in 100 ml. of water containing 6.2 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and the solution was then made alkaline by addition of 13 ml. of 35% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. 20 g. of sodium chloride was dissolved in this solution which was then cooled to C. A heavy crop of crystals separated from the solution and this solid was collected on a filter, washed with a little saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried at 70 C. There was thus obtained 15.0 g. of crude levo-rotary 2-amino-1-(4- methylrnercaptophenyl)-l,3propanediol which melted at 147-150" C. This product was recrystallized from 150 ml. of methanol to yield 11.9 g. of the pure levo-rotary amine which melted at 151-l53 C. By concentrating the mother liquor, 3.0 g. of solid consisting largely of the racemic amine was recovered.

The filtrate (A) retained as indicated above was evaporated at reduced pressure. dissolved in 100 ml. of water containing 62 m1. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and the solution was made alkaline by addition of 13 ml. of 35% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. g. of sodium chloride was dissolved in this solution which was then cooled to 5 C. The heavy crop of crystalline solid which separated from the solution was collected on a filter, washed with a few ml. of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried at 70 C. There was thus obtained 13.5 g. of crude dextro-rotary Z-amino-l-(4-methylmercaptophenyl)-1,3- propanediol. This product was recrystallized from methanol to yield 8.5 g. of the pure dextro-rotary amine which melted at 151153 C. By concentrating the mother liquor, 5.0 g. of solid consisting largely of the ra'cemic amine was recovered.

B. Z-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO-l- (l-METHYLMERCAP- TOPHENYL)-1,3-PROPANEDIOL A mixture of 1.1 g. of levo-rotary 2-amino-1-(4-methylmercaptophenyl)-l,3-propanediol, obtained as described above in part A, and 1.6 ml. of ethyl dichloroacetate was heated on a steam bath for three hours. The resulting viscous yellow oil was dissolved in ml. of ethylene chloride and. filtered hot with charcoal, and the filtrate was allowed to cool to about 25 C. From the filtrate there separated 0.92 g. of tiny white leaflets which were collected on a filter. Recrystallization of this product, which was a dextro-rotary form of Z-dichloroacetylamino-l-(4- methylmercaptophenyl) 1,3 propanediol, having the formula OH:S (I1H(|3H-OH2OH 0H NH- o|oHo12 from nitroethane yielded the pure product, which melted at 11l.6-l12.6 C. and had [u] =+12 (1% solution in 95% ethanol).

In similar fashion, the dextro-rotary 2-amino-1-(4-methylmercaptophenyl)-l,3-propanediol was acylated with ethyl dichloroacetate to yield a levo-rotary form of 2-dichloroacetylamino 1 (4 methylmercaptophenyl) 1,3- propanediol, which melted at l11.6112.6 C. and had [Ot] ='-12 (1% solution in 95% ethanol).

Also, in analogous fashion, the dichloroacetylation of the racemic amine yielded a racernic 2-di'chloroace'tylamino-l-(4-methylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol, M. P. 101.2102.4 C.

C. 2-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO-l-(4-METHYLSULFON- YLPHENYL) -1,3-PROPANEDIOL 7 g. of the levo-rotary Z-dichloroacetylamino-l-(4-methylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol obtained as described in part A above was dissolved in ml. of acetone. To

this solution there was added dropwise with stirring 10 ml.

of peracetic acid. The temperature during the re- The residue thus obtained was action was maintained at 39-45 C. by cooling the reac tion vessel. After stirring the mixture for two hours, it was diluted with 100 ml. of water and the solution allowed to stand over the weekend in the refrigerator. The solid which separated from solution was collected on a filter, washed several times with ice water, and dried overnight at 70 C. There was thus obtained 6.2 g. of alevo-rotary 2 dichloroacetylamino 1 (4 methylsulfonylphenyD- 1,3-propanediol which melted at 164.3166.3 C. and had [a] =12 (1% solution in ethanol).

A le;-;tro--rotary 2-dichloroacetylamino-1-(4-methylsulfonylphenyD-1,3-propanedio1 was prepared in similar fashion by oxidation of the dextro-rotary 2-dichloroacetylamino-1-(4-methylmercaptophenyl) -l ,3-propanediol obtained as described in part B above. This product melted at 165.2-l66.6 C. and had [a] =+l3 (1% solution in 95% ethanol).

EXAMPLE 3 2 -z1i bromoace ty lamina-I (4-methylsulfonylph enyl -1 ,3 propanediol A. 2-DIBROMOACETYLAMINO1 (l-METHYLMERCAPTO- PHENYL) 1,3-PROPANEDIOL By refluxing the racemic 2-amino-1-(4-methylmercaptophenyD-LZ-propanediol described above in part A of Example 2 with methyl dibromoacetate for about one hour using anhydrous ethanol as a reaction solvent, there is produced a racemic Z-dibromoacetylarnino-l-( l-methylmercaptophenyl)-l,3-propanediol, having the formula,

In analogous fashion, the dibromoacetyla'tion of the levorotary Z-amino-1-(4-methylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol described in Example 2A yields a dextro-rotary form of the Z-dibromoacetylamino-l-(4-methylmercaptophenyl)-1,3propanediol, and the enantiomeric dextro-rotary amino-diol yields a levo-rotary Z-dibromoacetylamino-l- (4-methylrnercaptophenyl) -1,3-propanediol.

B. 2-DIBROMOACETYLAMINO-l- (d-METHYLSULFONYL PHENYL) -1,3-PROPANEDIOL Oxidation of the raccmic, dextro-rotary, and 'levorotary forms of Z-dibromoacetylamino-l-(4-rnethylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol obtained as described above in part A yields, respectively, racemic, dextro-rotary, and levo-rotary forms of Z'dibrOmOacetyIarnino-l-(4-rnethylsulfonylphenyl) -l ,3-propanediol.

EXAMPLE 4 Z-dich loroacetylamino-I- (4-methyisulf0nylphanyi) ,3-

propanediol washed with benzene, and dried. There was thus obtained 230 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-4-methylmercaptoacetophenone having the formula Recrystallization of this product from acetone yielded white needles which melted at 151.7-152.9 C.

B. ALPHA-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO-BETA-HYDROXY-4- METHYLMERCAPTOPROPIOPHENONE 292.2 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-4-methylmercaptoacetophenone was slurried with 14.5 liters of ethanol at 40 C. 15 g. of sodium bicarbonate and 150 ml. of formalin (37% aqueous solution of formaldehyde) were added to the mixture and stirring was continued while maintaining the temperature of the solution at 40-50 C. until all of the alpha-dichloroacetylamino-4-mercaptoacetophenone had gone into solution. This required about eight hours. The suspended sodium bicarbonate was then removed by filtration and the volume of the filtrate was reduced to 2-2.5 liters by evaporation of ethanol from the solution under reduced pressure. The residual solution, which had an orange color, was refrigerated for about ten hours. The solid which separated from the solution was collected on a filter. There was thus obtained 232 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-beta-hydroxy-4-methylmercaptopropiophenone having the formula Recrystallization of this product from ethylene chloride yielded tiny white leaflets which melted at 147.7-l48.5 C.

C. 2-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO-1-(4-METHYLMERCAP- TOPHENYL) -1,3-PROPANEDIOL 322.2 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-beta-hydroxy-4- methylmercaptopropiophenone, 420 g. of aluminum isopropoxide, and three liters of anhydrous isopropanol were placed in a 5-liter flask and the mixture was heated at such a rate that distillation of liquid through a 15-inch column occurred at the rate of one drop per three to five seconds. Distillation was continued for sixteen to eighteen hours after which time a test for acetone in the distillate was negative. (The test for acetone was carried out using a 0.1% solution of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine in accordance with the procedure described in Organic Reactions, vol. II, page 200). The isopropanol remaining in the reaction mixture was removed by evaporation at reduced pressure. The dark red viscous residue thus obtained was heated on a steam bath for about forty-five minutes with 2.5 liters of water containing 200 g. of sodium chloride. The sodium chloride was added to reduce the tendency of aluminum hydroxide to form a gel. The hot suspension was filtered to remove aluminum hydroxide. The collected aluminum hydroxide was slurried several times with ether to remove the adhering red oil and the ether extracts were combined with the filtrate. The combined ether solutions were dried over anhydrous calcium sulfate and the ether was removed from the dry solution by distillation. There was thus obtained 310-320 g. of a dark red viscous oil. This oil was dissolved in 1600 ml. of ethylene dichloride, filtered with charcoal, and the filtrate was cooled. The solid which separated from the filtrate consisted of 180-195 g. of 2-dich1oroacetylarnino-l-(4-methylmercaptophenyl) 1,3 propanediol, having the formula which melted at 98-100" C. This product was purified by recrystallization from 550 ml. of nitroethane followed by an additional recrystallization from ethylene chloride. There was thus obtained g. of the pure product which melted at 101.2-102.4 C.

In another experiment, the reduction step was carried out in the following manner. A mixture of 9.6 g. of alphadichloroacetylamino-beta hydroxy 4 methylmercaptopropiophenone, 6.5 g. of aluminum isopropoxide, and 90 ml. of anhydrous isopropanol was refluxed for about thirty-five minutes with provision for slow distillation of acetone and isopropanol from the solution. The remaining solvent was then removed by evaporation at reduced pressure. The residue thus obtained yielded 5.8 g. of 2- dichloroacetylamino-1-(4 methylmercaptophenyl) 1,3- propanediol which melted at 101.2-102.4 C.

D. DICHLOROACETYLAMINO-l- (i-METHYLSULFONYL- PHENYL) -1,3PROPANEDI OL 21 ml. of 40% peracetic acid was added to a stirred solution of 15.0 g. of 2-dichloroacetylamino-1-(4-methylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol dissolved in 55 ml. of acetone. External cooling of the reaction vessel with ice was applied and the rate of addition of peracetic acid was adjusted so that the temperature of the reaction mixture did not rise above 40 C. The reaction mixture was then stirred one hour and was cooled to 5 C. The solid which separated from solution was collected on a filter. There was thus obtained 14.0 g. of a white solid consisting of 2-dichloroacetylamino-1-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)- 1,3-propancdiol which melted at 179.4180.6 C.

EXAMPLE 5 Z-dichloroacetylamino-I-(4-ethylsulf0nylphenyl) -1,3 propanediol cm-sm-Q-on-ou-omon A. ALPHA-A MINO-i-ETHYLMERCAPTOACETOPHENONE HYDROCHLORIDE 337 g. of ethyl sulfate was added from a dropping funnel to a stirred solution of 200 g. of thiophenol in 800 ml. of 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide. The reaction mixture was then stirred for two hours. During this period the temperature of the mixture gradually rose to 65 C. and then decreased to room temperature (about 25 C.) and the desired reaction product, ethyl phenyl sulfide, separated from the mixture as an oil. This oil was extracted from the mixture with 800 ml. of chloroform. The chloroform solution of ethyl phenyl sulfide thus obtained was dried for several hours over anhydrous calcium sulfate. The dry solution was then placed in a 3-liter, 3-neck flask fitted with a stirrer, thermometer, and drying tube. The solution was stirred and cooled to 10 C. and ml. of acetyl chloride was added. 300 g. of anhydrous aluminum chloride was then added portionwise while keeping the temperature of the reaction mixture at 5-15 C. After the addition of the aluminum chloride was completed, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to 20 C. and was poured into about 2 kg. of ice. The chloroform layer, which contained the desired 4- ethylmercaptoacetophenone, was separated from the mixture and placed in a 5-liter, 3-neck flask fitted with a stirrer and dropping funnel. To the stirred solution there was added 75 g. of bromine. After the reaction was initiated, as shown by the evolution of hydrogen bromide, an additional 225 g. of bromine was added as rapidly as was practical. The hydrogen bromide evolved from the mixture was removed by applying reduced pressure to the stirred solution, which contained alpha-bromo-4-ethylmercaptoacetophenone, having the formula mm-sQ-g-cru-m (A sample of the bromoketone isolated in another experiment melted at 74.4-75.4" C. after recrystallization from petroleum ether followed by recrystallization from methanol.) To the residue thus obtained, there was added 256 g. of hexamethylenetetramine, and the mixture was stirred for two hours. The solid yellowish alpha-bromo- 4 ethylmercaptoacetophenone hexamethylenetetramine adduct having the formula was collected on a filter, washed with chloroform and sucked partially dry on the filter. The adduct was mixed with 760 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 1540 ml. of ethanol, and the mixture was stirred for about six hours. The resulting suspension was cooled to C., and was filtered and washed with about 200 ml. of ethanol. The solid was then slurried with one liter of warm water containing 20 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. This suspension was cooled to 5 C. and then filtered. The collected solid was washed with about 300 ml. of ice water and dried. There was thus obtained 211 g. of alpha-amino-4-ethylmercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride, having the formula This product melted at 186.5 C. (dec.) after recrystallization from water which had been made slightly acid with dilute hydrochloric acid.

B. ALPHA-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO--ETHYLMER- CAPTOACETOPHENONE A mixture of 200 g. of alpha-amino-4-ethylmercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride and 4.5 liters of benzene was placed in a l2-liter, 3-neck flask fitted with a stirrer and a reflux condenser with water trap. The benzene was distilled slowly until no more water collected in the water trap. 147 g. of dichloroacetyl chloride was added to the mixture in a single portion and the resulting mixture was refluxed for fifteen hours. The evolution of hydrogen chloride had practically ceased at the end of this period and all of the solid in the mixture had dissolved. The hot solution was filtered. On cooling, there separated from the filtrate 139 g. of white solid which consisted of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-4-ethylmercaptoacetophenone having the formula This product melted at l27.6-128.8 C. after recrystallization from ethylene chloride. An additional 66 g. of the product was recovered by evaporation of the filtrate to a volume of 600 ml., cooling, and collecting the solid which separated from solution.

C. ALPHA-DICHLO'ROACETYLAMINO-BETA-HYDROXY- 4-ETHYLMEBCAPTOPROPIOPHENONE NH-(fi-GHCii which melted at 0-152" C. When recrystallized in the form of small white leaflets of ethylene chloride, the pure compound melted at 1532-1543 C.

D. Z-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO-l-(4-ETHYLMERCAPTO- PHENYL) -1,3-PROPANEDIOL A mixture of g. of alpha-dichloroacetylaminobeta-hydroxy-4-ethylmercaptopropiophenone, 400 g. of aluminum isopropoxide, and 1500 ml. of isopropanol was distilled slowly for fifteen hours. The excess isopropanol was removed by distillation at reduced pressure. Two liters of water containing 200 g. of sodium chloride was added to the red viscous residue and the mixture was heated about thirty minutes on a steam bath. The hot mixture was filtered and the filter cake was washed thoroughly with several 200 ml. portions of ethyl ether. The dark red ether layer was separated from the filtrate, dried over anhydrous calcium sulfate, and the ether was removed by evaporation. There was thus obtained as a residue 128 g. of red oil. This oil was taken up in 400 ml. of benzene and the hot solution was filtered with charcoal. On cooling the filtrate 84 g. of white solid separated from the solution. Recrystallization of this product from 300 ml. of ethylene chloride yielded 73 g. of pure 2 dichloroacetylamino 1 (4 ethylrnercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol, having the formula 0 which melted at 92.493.4 C.

E. 2-DI CHLOROACETYLAMINO-L (4-ETHYLSULFONYL- PHENYL) -1,3 PROPANEDIOL 22 ml. of 40% peracetic acid was added dropwise to a stirred solution of 18.5 g. of 2-dichloroacetylamino-l-(4- ethylmercaptophenyl)-l,3-propanediol dissolved in 50 ml. of acetone. External cooling of the reaction vessel with ice was applied and the rate of addition of peracetic acid was adjusted so that the temperature of the reaction mixture did not rise above 40 C. After completion of the addition of peracetic acid, the reaction mixure was stirred for one hour and was then cooled to 5 C. The solid which separated from solution was collected on a filter and washed with two portions each of 20 ml. of cold acetone. There was thus obtained 17.5 g. of 2-dichloroacetylarninol- 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl -1,3-propauediol in the form of a white solid which melted at 184.0-185.0 C

EXAMPLE 6 2-.dich loroacetylamino-J- (4-n-pr0pylsulf0nylphenyl) -1,3-

propanediol O A. ALPHA-AMINO-4-n-PROPYLMERCAPTOACETOPHE- NONE HYDROCHLORIDE A suspension of 226 g. of aluminum chloride in one liter of dry chloroform was placed in a 3-liter, 3-neck flask fitted with a stirrer, drying tube, dropping funnel, and thermometer. The suspension was stirred and cooled to 5 C. with stirring and g. of acetyl chloride was added. 235.5 g. of n-propyl phenyl sulfide was then added dropwise at 5 C. The reaction mixture was stirred for fifteen minutes after addition of the sulfide was completed, and was then poured into 1.5 kg. of ice containing 25 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The chloroform layer was separated from the mixture and the chloroform was removed from the solution by distillation. The residual oil was fractionally distilled, and the fraction boiling at 207 C. at 45-48 mm. of mercury was collected. There was thus obtained 253 g. of colorless oil which solidified upon standing. This product, which was 4-n-propylmercaptoacetophenone, having the formula melted at 37.7-39.l C.

208 g. of bromine was added to a solution of 254 g. of 4-n-propylmercaptoacetophenone in 2 liters of chloroform. After five or ten minutes, the evolution of hydrogen bromide from the reaction mixture had practically ceased, and the mixture was washed with 2 liters of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution containing ice. The chloroform layer was separated from the mixture and the chloroform was removed from the chloroform solution by distillation at reduced pressure. There was thus obtained as a residue 300 g. of alpha-bromo-4-n-propylmercapto acetophenone having the formula in the form of an orange colored oil which was used directly in the next step of the process. Crystallization of a sample of this product from petroleum ether yielded a white solid which melted at approximately 43 C.

95 g. of hexamethylenetetramine was added with stirring to a solution of 176 g. of alpha-bromo-4-n-propylmercaptoacetophenone dissolved in 850 ml. of acetonitrile. The temperature of the reaction mixture rose from 28 C. to 42 C. and a pale yellow solid separated from solution. After stirring the mixture for two hours, the solid was collected on a filter, washed with two 150 ml. portions of acetonitrile, and with 300 ml. of water, and dried. There was thus obtained, as a pale yellow solid, 174 g. of alpha-bromo-4-n-propylmercaptoacetophenonehexamethylenetetramine adduct having the formula which melted at approximately 135 C. with decomposition.

92 g. of alpha-bromo-4-n-propylmercaptoacetophenonehexamethylenetetramine adduct was mixed with a solution of 90 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 225 ml. of methanol, and the mixture was stirred and refluxed for thirty minutes. Initially, the mixture became dark red in color and after about ten minutes ammonium chloride separated from the solution. The ammonium chloride was removed by filtration, and the filtrate was cooled to 5 C. The solid which separated from the cooled solution was collected on a filter and dissolved in 125 ml. of hot water. The aqueous solution was cooled to C. and the solid which separated from solution was collected on a filter. There was thus obtained 27 g. of alpha-amino-4-n-propylmercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride having the formula which melted at approximately 155 C. with decomposition.

B. ALPHA DICHLOROACETYDAMINO-4-n-PROPYLMER- CAPTOACETOPHENONE 27 g. of alpha-amino-4-n-propylmercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride was added to 500 ml. of benzene and the resulting mixture was refluxed until no more water dis tilled ofi' into a water separator. 41 g. of dichloroacetyl chloride was then added and the mixture was stirred and refluxed for thirty minutes. During this period all of the ketoamine dissolved. The resulting reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, and the residue thus obtained was refrigerated. The solid which separated from the cooled solution was collected on a filter, washed with ml. of benzene, and dried. There was thus obtained 16.5 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-4-n-propylmercaptoacet-ophenone, having the formula which was recrystallized from benzene as a white solid which melted at 123.2-123.8 C.

C. ALPHA-DICHLOROACETY'LAMINO-BETA-HYDROXYA- n-PROPYLMERCAPTOACETOPHENONE A mixture of 13 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-4-npropylmercaptoacetophenone, ml. of ethanol, and 8 ml. of formalin (37% aqueous solution of formaldehyde) containing 0.8 g. of sodium bicarbonate dissolved therein was stirred at 4043 C. for four hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled and the solid which separated from the solution was collected on a filter. There was thus obtained 12.5 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-betahydroxy-4-n-prcpylmercaptoacetophenone, having the formula This product was recrystallized from ethylene chloride, thereby yielding 10 g. of the pure compound which melted at 133.4136.8 C.

D. 2-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO-1-(kn-PROPYLMER- CAPTOPHENYL) -1,3-PROPANEDIOL A mixture of 9 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-betahydroxy-4-n-propylmercaptopropiophenone, 20 g. of aluminum isopropoxide, and 200 ml. of dry isopropanol was distilled slowly for three hours. The isopropanol remaining in the reaction mixture was removed by distillation at reduced pressure. The resulting brown pasty residue was warmed with 200 ml. of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, and then filtered. The residual aluminum hydroxide on the filter was washed with several portions of ether. The ether layer was separated from the filtrate and dried over anhydrous calcium sulfate. The ether was then removed from the ether solution by evaporation at reduced pressure. The dark amber oil Obtained as a residue was taken up in 100 ml. of hot benzene, filtered with charcoal, and the filtrate was diluted with petroleum ether just short of permanent turbidity. On standing, there separated from the solution 4 g. of solid which was recrystallized from benzene and then from ethylene chloride. The product thus obtained, which was 2 dichloroacetylamino 1 (4-n-propylmercaptophenyl)- 1,3-propanediol, having the formula melted at 9l.8-94.8 C.

EXAMPLE 7 Z-dichloroacetylamino-J-(4-n-butylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3- propanediol cnlouzornonwsmQ-gn-grr-omon E H(|-|J'CHC17 o A. ALPHA-AMINO-4-n-BUTYLMERCAPTOACETOPHENONE This compound was prepared in a manner analogous to that described in part a of Example 6 above for the preparation of the corresponding n-propylmercapto compound. 250 g. of n-butyl phenyl sulfide was treated with 133 g. of acetyl chloride in the presence of 220 g. of aluminum i7 chloride. There was thus obtained 206 got 4-n-butylmercaptoacetophenone, having the formula which boiled at 138-140 C. at 0.8 mm. and melted at 24-25 C. after crystallization from petroleum ether at C. 110 g. of 4-n-butylmercaptoacetophenone dissolved in one liter of chloroform was treated with 80 g. of bromine to yield 168 g. of alpha-bromo-4n-butylmercaptoacetophenone, having the formula This compound was recrystallized from petroleum ether, thus yielding large colorless crystals which melted at approximately 63" C. 60 g. of alpha-bromo-4-n-butylmer- .captoacetophenone dissolved in 300 ml. of acctonitrile was treated with 30 g. of hexamethylenetetramine, thereby producing 88 g. of alpha-bromo-4-n-butylmercaptoacetophenone-hexamethylenetetramine, adduct, having the formula which melted at approximately 113 C. with decomposias a brown gummy solid. This gummy sloid was suspended in 50 ml. of acetone, the solution was cooled in an ice-methanol bath, the solid which separated from the cooled solution was collected on a filter and Washed several times with cold acetone. There was thus obtained 26.5 g. of a yellowish-tan solid which melted at 140--145 C. (dec.). The two crops of product melting at 140- 145 C. were combined and the 40 g. of product was recrystallized from 100 ml. of water containing 3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. There was thus obtained 32.5 g. of alpha-amino-4-n-butylmercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride having the formula in the form of white flaky crystals. A sample of this product was recrystallized from ethanol and then again from water acidulated with hydrochloric acid to yield the pure compound which melted at 175.5l79.3 C. (dec.).

B. ALPHA-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO-4-n-BUTYLMER- CAPTOACETOPHENO'NE A mixture of 27 g. of dry alpha-amino-4-n-butylmercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride, 125 ml. ofanhydrous benzene, and ml. of dichloroacetyl chloride was stirred and heated for fifteen minutes on a steam bath. The reaction mixture was then cooled and the solid which separated from solution was collected on a filter. 'There'was thus obtained 31.6 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino 4-nbutylmercaptoacetophenone having the formula slowly for fifteen hours.

18 Recrystallization of this product from benzene yielded flulfy white needles which melted at 127.4-128 C. with sintering at 120.2 C.

Alpha dichloroacetylamino-4-n-heptylmercaptoacetophenone, prepared by a procedure similar to that described for the corresponding n-butyl compound above, was a white powder melting at 98-99 C. When tested in aqueous solution against Staphylococcus aureus 209 and Eberthella typhi, Hopkins, this compound showed bacteriostatic activity against both organisms in vitro at a maximum dilution of 1:10.000.

"C. ALPHA-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO BETA-HYDROXY- 4n-BUTYLMERCAPTOPROPIOPHENON E A mixture of 47.5 g. of alpha-dichloroacety1amino-4-nbutylmercaptoacetophenone, 300 ml. of ethanol, and 2 g. of sodium bicarbonate dissolved in 23 ml. of formalin (37% aqueous solution of formaldehyde) was heated at -45 C. for four hours. The slurry was cooled at 10 'C., filtered, and the solid residue Waswashed with 40 ml. of methanol and dried. There was thus obtained 41 g. of alpha dichloroacetylamino beta hydroxy-4-n-buty1- ureroaptopropiophenone having the formula which when recrystallized from benzene in the form of small white crystals, melted at l23.0-123.8 C.

D. Z-DICHLOROACETYLAlVIINO-l-(4-n-BUTYLMERCAPTO- PHENYL) -1,3-PROPAN-EDIOL 35 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-beta-hydroxy-4-nbutylmercaptopropiophenone, g. of aluminum isopropoxide, and one liter of dry isopropanol were distilled The excess isopropanol was removed from the reaction mixture by evaporation under reduced pressure, and the reddish residue thus obtained was heated for thirty minutes with 400 ml. of water containing 40 g. of sodium chloride. The aluminum hydroxide which separated from solution was removed by liltration and the filter cake was washed thoroughly with ether. The reddish ether layer was separated from the filtrate, dried over anhydrous calcium sulfate, and the ether was removed from the ether solution by evaporation under reduced pressure. The light red viscous oily residue thus obtained was taken up in ml. of benzene, filtered with charcoal, and the filtrate was cooled. From the filtrate there separated 14 g. of 2-dichloroacetylamino-l-(4- n-butylmercaptophenyl)-l,3-propanediol, having the formula which was recrystallized from benzene and then from ethylene chloride to yield a white waxy solid which melted at Z-DICHLOBOACETYLAMINO-l-(d-n-BUTYLSULFONYL- PHENYL) -l,3-PROPA'NEDIOL of a pure white solid which melted at 131.6-l32.8 C.

An additional 1.0 g. of this product was obtained by evaporation of the filtrate.

' re EXAMPLE 8 Z-acetylamino-l-(4-benzylsulfonylphenyl) -1,3-

propanediol A. ALPHA-AMINO-4=-BENZYLMERCAPTOACETOPHENONE HYDRO CHLORIDE 340 g. of benzyl phenyl sulfide was dissolved in 1200 ml. of anhydrous chloroform and 120 ml. of acetyl chloride was added to the solution. The resulting mixture was cooled to l C. and 226 g. of aluminum chloride was added portionwise at such a rate that the temperature of the reaction mixture did not exceed 0 C. After the addition of the aluminum chloride was completed, the mixture was stirred and allowed to warm to 21 C. The mixture was then poured into ice water. The red chloroform layer was separated from the aqueous layer, washed with 300 ml. of dilute hydrochloric acid, and dried over anhydrous calcium sulfate. The chloroform was then evaporated from the chloroform solution. There was thus obtained as a residue 402 g. of a dark red oil. This oil was dissolved in 1200 ml. of petroleum ether and the resulting solution was filtered hot with charcoal. The yellow filtrate was cooled in an ice bath. 154 g. of yellow solid separated from the cooled solution. This product was recrystallized twice from ethanol and once from petroleum ether. There was thus obtained, in the form of fine white needles which melted at 113.9-1 15 .3 C. 4-benzyhnercaptoacetophenone, having the formula 95 g. of 4-benzylmercaptoacetophenone was dissolved in one liter of chloroform and was treated with 62.5 g. of bromine by a procedure similar to the bromination described above in Example 1A. To the solution of alphabromo-4-benzylmercaptoacetophenone thus obtained there was added 56 g. of hexamethylenetetramine and the mixture was stirred for two hours. The pinkish-white solid which separated was collected on a filter and washed with 200 ml. of chloroform. The resulting crude alpha-bromo- 4 benzylmercaptoacetophenone hexamethylenetetramine adduct, having the formula was hydrolyzed directly by stirring it for about ten hours at room temperature (about 25 C.) with 180 ml. of concentrated hydrochloride and 360 ml. of ethanol. The reaction mixture was then cooled to C. The solid was collected on a filter and dried. There was thus obtained 145 g. of crude reaction product. Ammonium chloride was removed from this product by slurrying it with 400 ml. of hot water for ten minutes and then cooling the solution to.10 C. 67 g. of solid separated from the cooled solution. This product was further purified by recrystallization from water containing a little hydrochloric acid. There was thus obtained alpha-amino-4-benzylmercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride, having the formula .in the form of white leaflets which melted at 2145-2165 C. (dec.)

B. ALPHA-ACETYLAMINO-4-BENZYLMERCAPTOACETO- PHENON E To a slurry of 52 g. of alpha-amino-4-benzylmercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride, 250 ml..of water and 500 g. of we there was added 40 m1. of acetic anhydride followed '20 bythe immediate addition of a solution of 60 g. of sodium acetate trihydrate in 250 ml. of water. The reaction mixture was stirred and allowed to warm to room temperature (about 25 C.), and was then made acid to Congo by addition of hydrochloric acid. The solid was separated from the mixture by filtration, washed with water, and'dried. A small sample of this product was purified by recrystallization from acetone. There was thus obtained alpha-acetylamino-4-benzylmercaptoacetophenone, having the formula in the form of white needles which melted at 162.6l63.8 C.

C. ALPHA-ACETYLAMINOBETA-HYDROXY-4-BENZYL- MERCAPTOPROPIOPHENONE The crude product from part B was slurried and warmed at 40 C. with 3.5 liters of ethanol. To this mixture were added 45 ml. of formalin (37% aqueous solution of formaldehyde) and 4 g. of sodium bicarbonate. Stirring of the reaction mixture at 40 C. was continued for twentyfour hours. The suspended sodium bicarbonate was removed from the solution by filtration and the filtrate was evaporated to a volume of about ml., diluted With water, and the white solid which separated from solution was collected on a filter. There was thus obtained 49 g. of pale yellow solid. This product was recrystallized once from ethylene chloride and once from nitroethane. There was thus obtained alpha-acetylamino-beta-hydroxy- 4-benzylmercaptopropiophenone, having the formula which melted at approximately 161 C.

D. 2-ACETYLAMINO-1-(-BENZYLME'RCAPTOPHENYL)- 1,3-PROPANEDIOL A mixture of 23 g. of alpha-acetylamino-beta-hydroxy- 4-benzylmercaptopropiophenone, 30 g. of aluminum isopropoxide, and one liter of dry isopropanol was refluxed for eighteen hours. During this time isopropanol and acetone was allowed to distil slowly from the reaction mixture. The remaining isopropanol was then distilled off under reduced pressure and the dark red residue was heated for thirty minutes with about 200 ml. of 5% aqueous sodium chloride solution on a steam bath. The mixture was filtered and the residue thus collected was heated with 200 ml. of ethylene chloride. The mixture was filtered hot to remove aluminum hydroxide, and the filtrate was cooled. 11 g. of solid separated from the cooled filtrate. This solid was collected and purified by recrystallization, first from nitroethane, then from ispropanol, and finally, again from nitroethane. There was thus obtained, in the form of white leaflets which melted at l57.0-l58.0 C., 2-acetylamino-1-(4-benzy1mercaptophenyl)-l,3-propanediol, having the formula E. Z-ACETYLAMINO-l-(4-BENZYLSULFONYLPHENYL)- 1,3-PROPANEDIOL To a slurry of 0.6 g. of Z-acetylamino-1-(4-benzy1mercaptophenyD-1,3-propanediol in 3 ml. of acetone there was added at 20 C. 2 ml. of 40% peracetic acid in one portion. The temperature of the mixture rose to 55 C. and the solution became clear followed almost immediately by the separation of a solid product. The mixture was stirred for an additional thirty minutes and then cooled to 10 C. The solid product was collected on a filter and washed with three 2 ml. portions of acetone. There was thus obtained 0.6 g. of white solid. Recrystallization of this solid from 70 ml. of nitroethane yielded small white leaflets of Z-acetylamino-l-(4-benzylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-

propanediol which melted at 222.9223.9 C.

EXAMPLE 9 Z-dich loroacetylamino-l (4-benzylsulfonylphenyl 1,3-prpanedi0l Q QWr A. 2-DICHLOROACETYI1AMINO-1- (4-BENZYLMERCALPTO- PHENYL) -1,3-PROPA.NEDIOL 12 g. of alpha-amino-4-benzylmercaptoacetophenone 1 This product, when purified by crystallization, first from ethylene chloride and then from nitroethane, melted at 185.6-186.4 C.

Proceeding in the manner set forth in the above ex amples, hydroxymethylation of the alpha-dichloroacetylamino-4-benzylmercaptoacetophenone by treatment with formaldehyde in the presence of an alkaline condensation catalyst yields alpha-dichloroacetylamino-beta-hydroxy-4-benzylmercaptophenylacetophenone, having the formula EXAMPLE l0 Z-dichloroacetylamino-I-(4-phenylsulfonylphenyl) 1 ,3 -pr0panedi0l A. ALPHA-AMINO- l-PHENYLMERCAP'IOACETOPHE- NONE HYDROCHLORIDE A mixture of 190 g. of diphenyl sulfide, 146 g. of aluminum chloride, and one liter of anhydrous chloroform was stirred and cooled to C. g. of acetyl chloride was added to the mixture slowly, the temperature of the mixture being kept at -5 C. to +5 C. When all of the acetyl chloride had been added, stirring was continued for one hour while the reaction mixture was gradually allowed to warm to room temperature. The mixture was then poured into ice water. The chloroform layer was separated from the mixture and the chloroform was removed from the chloroform solution by distillation 75 under reduced pressure. The residue thus obtained was dissolved in a hot mixture of 150 ml. of benzene and 150 m1. of petroleum ether. When the solution was cooled, 158 g. of 4-phenylmercaptoacetophenone, having the formula separated from solution. This product melted at approximately 66 C.

A solution of 53 g. of 4-phenylmercaptoacetophenone in 500 m1. of chloroform was treated with 36 g. of bromine at room temperature. After the bromination was completed, and excess hydrogen bromide was removed from the reaction mixture, a sufiicient quantity of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution was added to render the mixture alkaline to litmus. The chloroform layer was separated and distilled under reduced pressure to remove the chloroform. There was thus obtained as an oil, 69 g. of crude alpha-bromo-4-phenylmercaptoacetophenone, having the formula The 69 g. of oil was dissolved in 400 ml. of acetonitrile and 32.6 g. of hexamethylenetetramine was added to the solution. The mixture was stirred for thirty minutes and the white creamy solid was then collected on a filter. There was thus obtained g. of crude alpha-bromo-4- phenylmercaptoacetophenone-hexamethylenetetramine adduct, having the formula which melted with decomposition at approximately 206 C. This product was stirred and heated on a steam bath for fifteen minutes with 250 ml. of ethanol and ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The ammonium chloride which separated from the mixture Was removed by filtration and the filtrate was allowed to stand for several hours at room temperature. The white solid which separated from the solution was collected on a filter, dissolved in hot anhydrous ethanol, filtered hot with charcoal, and the filtrate was cooled. There separated from the cooled solution 22 g. of alpha-amino-4-phenylmercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride, having the formula which melted at 216.72l7.0 C. (dec.). This compound was soluble in water to the extent of 0.25%, weight/volume, the pH of this solution being 5.3. When tested in aqueous solution, the compound showed both bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv in vitro at a maximum dilution of 1:13,000. The compound also had some activity against oxyurid worms in mice at a dosage level of 50 mg./kg. ,per day.

B. ALPHA-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO-4-PHENYLMER- CAPTOACETOPHENONE A mixture was 22 g. of alpha-amino-4-phenylmercaptoacetophenone hydrochloride, 37 g. of dichloroacetyl chloride, and 150 ml. of dry benzene was heated under reflux for thirty minutes. The hot reaction mixture was then filtered. 12 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-tphenylmercaptoacetophenone separated from the filtrate on cooling. This product melted at 139-141 C. The watersolubility of the compound was less than 0.25%, weight/ volume, and its solubility in 95% ethanol was less than 1%, weight/volume. C. ALPHA-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO-BETA-HYDROXY-' -PHENYLMERCAPTOPROPIOPHENONE A mixture of 17 g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-4- phenylmercaptoacetophenone, ml. of ethanol, 10 ml.

of formalin (37% aqueous solution of formaldehyde), and 1 g. of sodium bicarbonate was stirred and heated at 40 C. for one hour and then allowed to stand for several hours at room temperature (about 25 C.). The reaction mixture was then reheated to 40 C., filtered to remove sodium bicarbonate, and the filtrate cooled. 11 g. of solid separated from the cooled filtrate. This product was recrystallized from ethylene chloride, thereby yielding 10.5 g. of pure alpha-dichloroacetylamino-beta-hydroxy-4- phenyl-mercaptoacetophenone, having the formula which melted at 1285-1295 C.

D. 2-DICHLOROACE'IYLAMINO-l-(4-PHENYLMERCAP- TOPHENYL) -1,3-PROPANEDIOL A mixture of g. of alpha-dichloroacetylamino-betahydroxy-4-phenylmercaptopropiophenone, 20.4 g. of aluminum isopropoxide, and 100 ml. of dry isopropanol was distilled slowly for forty-five minutes. The excess isopropanol was then removed by distillation under reduced pressure and the residue was heated for thirty minutes with 100 ml. of aqueous sodium chloride solution. The aluminum hydroxide which separated from the mixture was collected on a filter and washed thoroughly with ether. The aqueous filtrate was also extracted with ether, and the ether washings and extracts were combined and dried over anhydrous calcium sulfate. The ether was then distilled from the filtrate under reduced pressure. There was thus obtained as a residue 5.0 g. of 2-dichloroacetylamino 1 (4-phenylmercaptophenyl)1,3- propanediol, having the formula H NHCCHC12 It in the form of a red oil.

E. 2-DICHLOROACETYLAMINO-1-(4-PHENYLSULFONYL- PHENYL) -1,3-PROPANEDIOL Oxidation of the Z-dichloroacetylamino-1-(4-phenylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol with peracetic acid in a manner similar to the oxidizing procedures described in the foregoing examples yields 2-dichloroacetylamino-l- (4-phenylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-propanediol.

Proceeding in accordance with the teachings of the above examples, there can be prepared the following compounds:

2-iodoacetyl-l-[4-(p-tolylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1,3-propanediol, by oxidizing 2-iodoacetyl-1-[4-(p-tolylrnercapto)phenyl]-1,3-propanediol, which is prepared by hydroxymethylating alpha-iodoacetylamino-4-(p-tolylmercapto)acetophenone and reducting the alpha-iodoacetylamino-beta-hydroxy-4-(p-tolylmercapto)propiophenone thus obtained;

2-beta-chloropropionylamino-1-(4 cyclohexylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-propanediol, by oxidizing Z-beta-chloropropionylamino-1-(4 cyclohexylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol, which is prepared by hydroxymethylating alpha- (beta chloropropionylaminc)-4-cyclohexylmercaptoacetophenone and reducing the alpha-(beta-chloropropionylamino) beta hydroxy 4 cyclohexylmercaptopropiophenone thus obtained;

2-acetylamino 1 (4-methallylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-propanediol, by oxidizing 2-acetylamino-1-(4-methallylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol, which is prepared by hydroxymethylating alpha acetylamino-4-methallylmercaptoacetophenone and reducing the alpha-acetylamino-betahydroxy 4 methallylmercaptopropiophenone thus obtained;

Z-trifiuoroacetylamino 1 (4-methallylsulfonylphenyl)- 1,3-propanediol, by oxidizing Z-trifluoroacetylamino-1-(4- methallylmercaptophenyD-1,3-propanediol, which is prepared by interacting ethyl trifluoroacetate and 2-amino- 1-(4-methyllylmercaptophenyl)-1, 3-propanedio1 obtained by deacylating the corresponding Z-acetylamino com-:

pound;

2-(alpha-methylpropionylamino)-1-(4 isobutylsulfonylphenyl)-l,3-propanediol, by oxidizing Z-(aIpha-methylpropionylamino)-1-(4 isobutylmercaptophenyD-l,3-propanediol, which is prepared by interacting 2-amino-1-(4is0- butylmercaptophenyD-l,3-propanedio1 with alpha-methylpropionyl chloride; and

2-(alpha,beta dichloropropionylamino)-1-(4-tert.-butylsulfonylphenyD-1,3-propanediol, by oxidizing 2-(alpha, beta-dichloropropionylamino) 1 (4-tert.-butylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediol, which is prepared by hydroxymethylating alpha-(alpha,beta-dichloropropionylamino)-4- tert.-butylmercaptoacetophenone and reducing the alpha- (alpha,beta-dichloropropionylamino)-beta-hydroxy-4-tert.- butylrnercaptopropiophenone thus obtained.

The racemic and the dextro-rotary forms of the 2-aliphatic carboxylic acylamino 1 (4-hydrocarbylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-propanedio1s (I) have been found to have especially high antibiotic activity, being active against gramnegative and gram-positive bacteria and rickettsial organisms. In general, the dextro-rotary form is more active than the racemic form. In many instances, the dextrorotary form has approximately twice the antibacterial activity of the racemic form.

The Z-alip'hatic carboxylic acylamino-1-(4-hydrocarbylmercaptophenyl)-1,3-propanediols (II) and alpha-(aliphatic carboxylic acylamino)-beta-hydroxy-4-hydrocarbylmercaptopropiophenones (VII) described hereinabove, as well as the respective reduction and hydroxymethylation processes for their preparation are claimed in the copending U. S. Patent application Serial No. 249,206, filed October 1, 1951, by Royal A. Cutler and Chester M. Suter. The alpha amino (hydrocarbylmercapto) acetophenones (V) described hereinabove are claimed in my co-pending divisional application Serial No. 586,891, filed May 9, 1956, and the alpha-(aliphatic carboxylic acylamino) 4 hydrocarbylmercaptoacetophenones (VI) de scribed hereinabove are claimed in my co-pending divisional application Serial No. 586,890, filed May 9, 1956.

Iclaim:

1. An alpha-halo 4 hydrocarbylmercaptoacetophenone-hexamethylenetetramine adduct of the formula where R is a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-7 carbon atoms and Hal is a member of the class consisting of chlorine and bromine.

2. A compound of the formula 3. A compound of the formula 4. A compound of the formula 5. A compound of the formula CHzCH CHrS-QE-OHg-Br-(CHMN;

6. A compound of the formula 7. A compound of the formula S-fi-CH2BP (Guam.

No references cited. 

1. AN ALPHA-HALO-4-HYDROCARBOYLMERCAPTOACETOPHENONE-HEXAMETHYLENETETRAMINE ADDUCT OF THE FORMULA 